Pushkar is a holy town in the state of Rajasthan famous for the Pushkar lake, various ghats and temples spread all around the lake.

The word 'Pushkar' means lotus flower, which is said to be the seat of Brahma, one of the Hindu holy trinity, who is worshipped as the creator of this world. The legend has it that the demon Vajra Nabha killed Brahma's children, he in turn struck him with his weapon, a lotus flower. Vajra Nabha died with the impact, and the petals of the lotus fell at three places. One of them is Pushkar, where it gave birth to a lake. Brahma is supposed to have performed sacrifice at this lake on Kartik Purnima (the full moon day of the Kartik month (generally in the month of November)), hallowing the place.

Though Brahma is considered to be the creator of the world, Pushkar is the only temple of this important deity in the whole world. This is also considered as Adi Teerth or Teertharaj meaning ancient holy place or the most important of holy places respectively. There are not many temples built for Brahma because his influence to the daily life is considered not a big as Vishnu (Preserver), Shiva (Destroyer) and Ganesh (Remover of Obstacles). Being the creator, whatever being created is already there, whereas other deities' need to be appeased so that any wishes or favours can be granted or fulfilled.

Due to its mountainous location, trains to Pushkar are very infrequent and slow. However, the train station in nearby Ajmer provides great connections to most major cities in India. From the Ajmer train station, you can either take a taxi to Pushkar (30 minutes, ₹500-600), Uber (₹300 flat), or take the public bus.

From Ajmer, buses leave from both the bus stand and from the railway station. If you are coming off the train, ignore the rickshaw/taxi drivers who will tell you that you have to go to the bus stand 1.6 km away to catch the bus to Pushkar. Walk out of the train station and you will see a pedestrian overpass above the main road. Take this overpass to the opposite side and wait near it on the street for the bus (again, ignoring more taxi drivers). The bus will come and a man will likely be yelling "Pushkar, Pushkar, Pushkar!" - 20 rs, 30 minute ride.

Pushkar Lake is a beautiful, sanctified spot in the center of Pushkar. It is said to have been created by Lord Brahma and is therefore a place of pilgrimage for the Hindus. The lake is surrounded by 52 different ghats, or series of steps, which Hindus use to descend to the lake for ritual bathing, especially in the month of karthik.

Note that while there are many temples in Pushkar, the majority do not allow foreigners/non-Hindus to enter. You will have to take off your shoes to enter the temples. If you only have the desire/time to visit 2 temples, the one-of-a-kind Brahma Temple and the Savitri Temple, with a beautiful view of Pushkar Lake, are must-sees.

Bramha Temple - One of the very few temples in the world dedicated to Lord Brahma. Read up on Hinduism to learn why this temple is such a rarity! No matter where you stay in Pushkar, you will hear the daily chanting ceremonies or aartis conducted here: One begins two hours before sunrise, one 40 minutes after sunset, and one 5 hours after sunset. Not allowed inside: camera, bag, shoes.

Savitri Temple - Dedicated to Savitri, the wife of Lord Brahma, this temple is the second-most important temple in Pushkar. It requires a climb of 650 steps to reach it, but the view at the top of Pushkar and the lake is worth the climb. Do it at sunrise!

Rangji Temple - A Vishnu temple built in south Indian style that is very different from other temples in North India. Poojas are perfomed here by Iyengars of Tamilnadu.

Pap Mochini Temple - A beautiful temple on a hill dedicated to Gayatri, one of the 2 consorts of Lord Brahma. A 30 minute walk north of Pushkar.

Sri Panchkund Shiva Temple - The shiva temple is said to have been built by Pancha pandavas. Located on the eastern edge of the town, 2-3 kms from the lake.

Varaha Temple - The oldest temple in Pushkar. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Not well maintained, but impressive due to its age and spiritual importance.

Aptaeshwar Temple - A temple dedicated to Lord Shiva with an underground component

Camel safaris are a popular tourist activity and can last from an hour to several days. The beautiful desert area around the city is inhabited by nomadic tribes and a camel safari can also be a cultural experience to remember. Depending on the desires of the group, the guides can keep the camels going at a comfortable walking pace, can increase the speed to a less comfortable, but faster trot, or even have the camel gallop!

Pushkar Camel Fair (November, during the full moon) - A 14-day fair visited by 400,000 people per year. Features over 11,000 camels, horses, and cattle. Many companies offer packages that include luxury tented accommodation. It is held during a holy time in the Hindu calendar and pilgrims will come not just for the fair, but to bathe in Pushkar Lake. Book rooms in advance, since last minute bookings in that time will be heavily marked up.

Pushkar is known to be the best place to shop in Northern India. The prices are great, although the quality is subpar. You will find shops selling jewelry, clothes, cushion covers, showpieces, books, bags, handicrafts, shoes, etc.. If it is convenient for you and you need to buy gifts, plan to do your shopping in Pushkar.

Alcohol is forbidden within the city limits, although drinking coffee in one of the many cafes is a popular activity.

R.R.HOTEL AND BAR near to the petrol pump, near petrol pump (next to the fair ground), ☎09414300003. 24 hours. the only place with the beer in Pushkar decently priced 90 rupees for big botel 650ml. They have more brands of beer and other types of alcohol with descent price . And also very good non-veg food, nice alternatyive for Pushkar night life scene :-)90. edit

Pushkar Bagh, Motisar Link Road, Village Ghanehera (North of the lake, not in walking distance), ☎+91 94140 30669 ([email protected]), [25]. Excellent views but the mattresses are very thin.₹4,500. edit

Heritage camps pushkar, Motisar Link Road, Village Ghanehera (North of the lake, not in walking distance), ☎+91 9799050299 ([email protected]), [26]. pitched during the pushkar camel fair period only. located at a a distance of 1 k.m from camel fair ground.₹7,500. edit

To stay safe, avoid hiring a tour guide without prior recommendation from someone you trust. Never accept any blessings at the lake.

Scams are widespread in Pushkar, particularly around the lake, however the initial introduction can be anywhere in the city, often from a third party or 'referrer' who collects commission from the actual scammer. You may also find people walking and talking with you all the way to the lake - typically to steer you into their friends who are fraudulent "holy men". These men will fluster you as you enter, telling you all kinds of instructions upon entering the lakeside steps and hustle you into blessing that appears necessary for your very first visit to the lake "out of respect". If you are with friends or a partner they will typically split you off. Once you sit with them they will go through a blessing. They will then ask how much you would like to donate to their "charity" to feed and maintain the 52 lakeside areas and staff. They normally ask for a donation per family member, or to match your friend if you were split up by them. They will push for 2,000-3,000 rupees per family member you would like to pray for, then 1,000 rupees. Often they will not accept less than 1,000 rupees. Remember most of these so called Holy Men are nothing of the sort, be firm but polite and decline their invitation to pray for your family. If you do wish to make a donation, use the donation boxes provided rather than giving it directly to them.

When you visit the Brahma temple, you will be given some flower petals in newspaper wrap when you remove and store your shoes and bag. This is the start of the scam that will follow. You will be told that you can offer some of the petals to the priest in the temple and the rest to the lake. At the temple the priest will give you some white sweet/sugar confection in return for the petals. The bank of the lake is a fair walk from the temple. You will notice that mysterious individual you saw at the temple will appear at the lake. So you belong to this group of syndicate who get some commission if any money collected from you. At the lake, a pundit ('holy man') will approach you and usher you to the lake. If you go along, he will perform some kind of blessing ceremony for you (mark you head with some powder) and your family. He will then ask you for a hefty sum of donation, as per above.

Tour guides often work together with the scammers to intimidate you and frequently follow you around the town after you visit the lake to get more money.

Milk Ladies and children - ignore the women holding babies and the kids who approach you saying "no money, no money, just buy milk (or chapati, rice, etc.)". It's a scam, you will pay double or more the true price, they'll then return the products and split the winnings with the shop owner. ( This is a very popular scam in Siem Reap, Cambodia too )

Ajmer - Buses leave frequently from the Northern bus stand (near Milkman). Also seems to be some from the Eastern bus stand. 20 Rs.

Jodhpur - Two RSRTC buses stop in Pushkar's Eastern bus stand en route to Jodhpur. One at 10:35 and another at 12:05 Tickets are purchased from the office located there for 165 Rs. 5 hours. (Many more depart from Ajmer, check RSRTC website)